Commander, U.S. Special Operations Command Gen. Joseph Votel speaks to Naval Special Warfare personnel during an all-hands call at Naval Special Warfare Center.

Photo by Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Michael Russell

SOCOM Leader Appeals Directly To His Troops To Seek Counseling

Posted on
March 11, 2015

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The top man with Special Operations Command, Gen. Joseph Votel, beseeches special forces operators and personnel suffering from depression, or potentially suicidal thoughts, to follow his lead, and seek counseling.

The rate of suicide in special operations forces is among the highest in the military — though it has been decreasing since 2012 — and reflects both the stigma associated with seeking treatment, as well as the strain of more than a decade of deployments since 2001. Votel’s candor, along with increased access to counseling services, appear to be helping, albeit slowly, reports Kimberly Dozier of The Daily Beast.